Rotor system for ground milling or mine milling

ABSTRACT

A rotor system for ground milling or mine milling comprising a base rotor provided with a number of support plates for accommodating tools. The tool support plates are detachably joined to the base rotor in the rotor system. A number of segments are radially arranged around a central axis (M) and a number of retaining plates are provided in an axially interspaced manner between the individual segments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a soil tiller for cutting uporganic substances with a rotor system, the rotor system having a basicrotor with a plurality of carrier plates for accommodating tools.

[0002] Such soil tillers with rotor systems for working various soilsare known on the market and are in use in a wide variety of forms anddesigns. The previous constructions of rotors are usually based on aclosed tubular shell. The tool holders or the tools are attached invarious forms to this tubular shell. This type of construction has anadverse effect during detonations, since their pressure wave has a largearea of application and therefore considerable damage to the rotorsystem or the tilling machine may occur. Such repair of the tillingmachine on site often involves considerable problems, since there isoften no appropriate infrastructure in regions and countriescontaminated with mines.

[0003] Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that conventional rotorconstructions are subjected to considerable wear and are designed to bevery heavy. In addition, it is disadvantageous that tool carrier platesare also often subjected to wear, distorted or destroyed, which isundesirable. These tool carrier plates cannot be exchanged on sitewithout a great deal of work.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,486 describes a mining machine, in particulara rotor for mining, to which tool holders are assigned. Two tools arearranged radially at different effective diameters in the tool holder.

[0005] A similar machine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,468. There,two tools arranged radially one behind the other are assigned to a rotorat different effective diameters in a workpiece holder.

[0006] DE 43 24 234 shows a milling breaker for road and highwayconstruction, the roller of which is fitted with tilling picks.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,379 discloses a device for roughening roads,having a rotor element on which picks or tools mounted in aspring-loaded manner are arranged.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,434 shows a tiller for tilling bituminousroad surfaces with a rotor element.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a rotor systemof the type mentioned at the beginning which removes said disadvantagesand with which a basic rotor is to be improved in a simple andcost-effective manner. In addition, the rotor system is to exhibit aslittle damage as possible after a mine detonation. Furthermore, the easeof handling and the interchangeability of tools and tool carrier platesare to be considerably improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The foregoing object is achieved by the present invention byproviding a rotor system for soil or mine tillers, having a basic rotorwith a plurality of carrier plates for accommodating tools,characterized in that the tool carrier plates are releasably connectedto the basic rotor.

[0011] In the present invention, a soil tiller having a rotor systemwith a basic rotor is provided, which basic rotor is formed from aplurality of radially spaced-apart segments, the individual segmentsbeing connected to one another via retaining plates. The retainingplates are at a distance from one another in the axial direction andform corresponding cassettes.

[0012] A plurality of tools and/or tool carrier plates, in particulartool carriers, are releasably secured to the segments and/or to theretaining plates. The tool carrier plates can be secured in a directlyreleasable manner for accommodating tools or the tool itself. In thiscase, the tools, in particular the tool carrier plates, can be connectedto the basic rotor, in particular to the segments, on differenteffective diameters.

[0013] In particular the cassette-like design of the basic rotor bymeans of the segments and retaining plates inserted in between resultsin an open type of construction, the advantage of which consists in thefact that, during a detonation, the pressure wave can be reduced moreeffectively than in the case of a closed tubular shell.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous that no damage to the rotorsystem occurs. In addition, it has proved to be advantageous that alower overall weight of the rotor in the above-mentioned lightweighttype of construction is obtained in this way, so that the overall weightof the machine can also be considerably reduced. Due to the simple typeof fastening between tool carrier and the basic rotor via, for example,screwed connections, the maintenance and servicing of the rotor isgreatly simplified, since damaged tool plates and/or tools can bereplaced on site without any problems. Working with different numbers oftools or with different tools themselves is likewise possible by simpleaddition or removal of tool carrier plates including tool.

[0015] A combination of different tools for producing, for example,different effective diameters is also possible. In addition, a toolcarrier can be inserted free of play in a frictional or positive-lockingmanner between individual segments and releasably connected to theretaining plate of the basic rotor. In this way, in a lightweightconstruction of the rotor and with a low dead weight, very high cuttingforces can be absorbed. A self-cleaning effect is produced by thecassette-like design of the basic rotor. In addition, due to thecassette-like open type of construction, the area of application duringthe detonation is reduced, the pressure wave can spread more effectivelyand leads to less mechanical damage.

[0016] Furthermore, it is intended within the scope of the presentinvention that a pivotable or movable counter blade is provided therotor system, in particular the basic rotor, in order to vary a cuttinggap. In this case, the counter blade can be adjusted and set relative tothe effective diameter or the outer tool via lever arms, hydrauliccylinders or the like (not described and shown here). At the same time,consideration is to be given to the fact that the counter blade can bemovable in a flap-like manner about a joint or can be moved in a linearmanner toward the counter blade.

[0017] It is also important in the present invention that the movablecounter blade is located inside the housing of the rotor system, so thatall of the objects possibly cut up in a preliminary manner in a rigidcounter blade can be cut up further again at the movable counter blade.In this way, the cutting-up process is optimized.

[0018] Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous that the outertools are preferably connected in a movable manner to the basic rotor,in particular to the tool retaining plate or to the segments, thesetools, for example, adjoining a movable chain or movable articulatedconnections. In this case, consideration is also to be given toarranging the tools in tool carrier plates or retaining plates in apivotable manner via appropriate oscillating or push-in pivots. This hasthe advantage that, in particular in the forest, when cutting up thickwood, the basic rotor 1 does not jam if thick wood in particular getsinto it.

[0019] The corresponding tools are pivotable via the movable chain orvia the oscillating or push-in pivot and can prevent such a jammingmovement. Said tools can give way. The outer tools are acceleratedoutward via the corresponding centrifugal force. The tools located onthe inner smaller effective diameter are preferably arranged in a fixedposition, although the invention is not restricted thereto.

[0020] On the whole, a rotor system can thereby be provided which canincrease a capacity, in particular a cutting-up capacity, with a basicrotor of very light design, it being possible at the same time to reducethe wear of the tools and of the basic rotor. In addition, light tillinginto thick wood is possible with the rotor system according to theinvention, the areas of application being reduced in particular by theyielding of the movably mounted outer tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further advantages, features and details of the invention followfrom the description below of preferred exemplary embodiments and withreference to the drawing, in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a basic rotor with mountedand welded-on tool carrier plates for accommodating tools;

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a rotor system according tothe invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of part of a basicrotor;

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross section through two adjacentsegments of the basic rotor, with inserted tool carrier plate;

[0026]FIG. 5a shows a schematic plan view of a partial cross section ofthe basic rotor with tools inserted differently;

[0027]FIG. 5b shows a schematic perspective view of two adjacentsegments of the basic rotor with an inserted tool;

[0028]FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a further exemplaryembodiment of a further rotor system R₃;

[0029]FIG. 7 shows a partial longitudinal section through the rotorsystem R₃ according to FIG. 6;

[0030]FIGS. 8 and 9 show schematic side views of further rotor systemsR₄, R₅;

[0031]FIGS. 10 and 11 show side views of further rotor systems R₆, R₇with movable or pivotable outer tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Shown according to FIG. 1 is a rotor system R₁ which in aconventional manner has a basic rotor 1 which is usually formed from aclosed tubular shell 2. Tool holders 3 or tools 4 are fastened invarious forms to this tubular shell 2. A disadvantage with this rotorsystem R₁ is that, in particular during detonations, if the rotor systemR₁ should be designed as a soil or mine tiller, the pressure wave isexerted over a large area of application on the tubular shell 2 andresults in considerable damage to the rotor system R₁ or the tillingmachine.

[0033] According to FIG. 2, a rotor system R₂ according to the inventionexhibits a basket-like, open type of construction in which no closedshell is provided but rather the basic rotor 1 is composed in a box-likemanner of individual, radially spaced-apart segments 5, axiallyspaced-apart retaining plates 6 being provided between the individualsegments 5, see FIG. 3, and forming “cassettes” 7 with the segments 5.

[0034] Tool carriers or tool carrier plates 8 can be releasably secured,in particular screwed, to the retaining plates 6. The tool carrier orthe tool carrier plate 8 serves to accommodate at least one tool 9, seeFIG. 2. A further advantage of the present invention is that the toolcarrier or the tool carrier plate 8, due to its configuration, isconnected to the basic rotor 1 in a positive-locking manner, asindicated in particular in FIG. 4.

[0035] In this case, the tool carrier plate 8 bears against respectiveinner bearing surfaces 10, 11 of two adjacent segments 5, so that thetool carrier plate 8 or the tool carrier is inserted in apositive-locking manner in the basic rotor 1 or between the segments 5.The tool carrier plate 8 can be additionally fastened to or held on theretaining plates 6 in a frictional manner by additional fasteningelements or fastening screws (not shown in any more detail here). Onaccount of the shaping of the tool carrier plate 8, the tool carrier orthe tool carrier plate 8 anchors itself in the basic rotor 1, see FIG.4, fastening elements, in particular fastening screws, for thereleasable securing of the tool carrier plate 8 to the retaining plate6, only having to be stressed in tension. In this way, a frictional andpositive-locking connection free of play is realized.

[0036] The basic rotor 1 is constructed in such a way that the number ofscrewed-on tool carriers or tool carrier plates 8 can be varied. Thiscan be advantageous if, for example when working different soils,clogging of the rotor, binding of the rotor, etc., is to be prevented,or if different degrees of freedom are to be set.

[0037] A combination of two tools 4.1, 4.2 is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5 b.As shown in cross section in FIG. 5a and as indicated in FIG. 5b, thetool 4.1 is a type of narrow, pointed tool having an effective diameterd₁.

[0038] In addition, the tools 4.2 having a smaller effective diameter d₂may be fastened to the basic rotor 1. The tools 4.2 are designed to bemore like a blade and to be wider than the tools 4.1. Under certainworking conditions, e.g. when tilling bush-like terrain, it is advisableto use the tools 4.2. The effective diameter d₂ is intended to workright down to the earth surface; the effective diameter d₁ plunges intothe soil. The tools 4.2 assist the cutting-up of the bush at thesurface, whereas the tools 4.1 till through the soil.

[0039] Shown according to FIG. 6 is a further rotor system R₆ which hasa basic rotor 1 of the type described above, in which a plurality ofsegments 5 are provided. It has proved to be advantageous in this caseto arrange the tools 4.1, 4.2 on different effective diameters d₁, d₂.

[0040] At least one counter blade 12 is preferably provided, whichinteracts with the inner and outer tools 4.1, 4.2, different cuttinggaps being formed in between.

[0041] Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous in the presentinvention that a counter blade 15 is provided inside a housing 13 of therotor system R₃, which counter blade 15 is movable, in particularpivotable, about a joint 14 and can be firmly set, or if need be is alsovariable about the joint 14 during operation.

[0042] In this way, a cutting gap, for example between effectivediameter d₁ and tool 4.1 or 4.2, can be set in any desired manner. Thecutting-up process can be influenced as a result.

[0043] In particular, the cutting-up of organic substances, such as woodfor example, optimizes the cutting-up process in the rotor system R₃. Inaddition, lower wear of the basic rotor 1 designed as stepped rotoroccurs with a smaller number of tools 4.1 and/or 4.2, in particular witha smaller number of teeth. Furthermore, the individual tools 4.1, 4.2are arranged radially offset and lie axially on the basic rotor 1 indifferent effective planes A, B.

[0044] In addition, said tools 4.1, 4.2, as also indicated in FIG. 7,have different effective diameters d₁, d₂, so that additional cutting-upcan be effected in the intermediate spaces.

[0045] In particular, the different effective planes A, B are also shownhere, so that, as viewed in partial cross section, the tools 4.1, 4.2are arranged alternately in the different effective planes A and B overthe complete axial length of the basic rotor 1.

[0046] In this way, a cutting-up process, likewise assisted by themovable counter blade 15, can also be optimized for reducing the wear ofthe tools 4.1, 4.2.

[0047] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIGS. 8 and 9, instead of a pivotable counter blade 15, alinearly displaceable counter blade 15 which is movable as shown indouble arrow direction X may also be provided in further rotor systemsR₄ and R₅. In this case, this counter blade 15 can be moved back andforth in a plurality of steps in a linearly movable, displaceable orlatchable manner in double arrow direction X shown.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention according toFIG. 9, a rotor system R₅ is shown which roughly corresponds in asimplified manner to that according to FIG. 6.

[0049] However, the counter blade 15 here is at a further distance fromthe tool 4.1, so that the material to be cut up, in particular wood, canlikewise be influenced by a larger cutting gap.

[0050] In two further exemplary embodiments of the present inventionaccording to FIGS. 10 and 11, the tools 4.1 are preferably designed tobe movable between the segments 5. In the exemplary embodiment accordingto FIG. 10, the tool 4.1 is secured to the basic rotor 1, in particularbetween the segments 5, by means of a chain 16. The chain 16 is aflexible element and allows a movement, even a radial movement, of thetools 4.1. During the rotation of the basic rotor 1, the tool 4.1 islocated on the effective diameter d₁ via the centrifugal force.

[0051] Furthermore, it is intended to be within the scope of theinvention that the tool 4.1, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of therotor system R₇ according to FIG. 11, is secured to the retaining plate6 via, for example, oscillating or push-in pivots 17 such that it canpivot about the latter, the tool 4.1 being oriented on the outside tothe effective diameter d₁ likewise by the centrifugal force, inparticular the revolution of the basic rotor 1.

[0052] The rotor systems R₆, R₇ have the advantage that they are alsosuitable for cutting up relatively thick wood, in particular for drivinginto the latter, the areas of application being reduced as a result andjamming of the basic rotor 1 being prevented.

[0053] The scope of the present invention is also intended to include,for example, the design of articulated connections or flexible retainingplates of that kind, instead of the chain 16, in order to secure thetool 4.1 to the basic rotor 1 in a movable, in particular anarticulated, manner. The present invention is not restricted thereto.

1: A rotor system for soil or mine tillers, comprising a rotor (1)having a plurality of carrier plates for accommodating tools (4.1, 4.2),and means for releasably connecting the carrier plates (8) to the rotor(1). 2: A rotor system for soil or mine tillers, comprising a rotor (1)having a plurality of carrier plates for accommodating tools (4.1, 4.2),and means for releasably connecting differrent carrier plates (8) ordifferent tools (4.1, 4.2) for producing different effective diameters(d₁, d₂) to the rotor (1). 3: A rotor system for soil or mine tillers,comprising a rotor (1) having a plurality of carrier plates foraccommodating tools (4.1, 4.2), said rotor (1) comprises a plurality ofbox-like segments (5), to which a carrier plate (8) and/or a tool (9)can be releasably inserted. 4: A rotor system for soil or mine tillers,comprising rotor (1) having a plurality of carrier plates foraccommodating tools (4.1, 4.2), and at least one counter blade (15),associated with and movable toward the rotor (1). 5: The rotor system asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one counter blade (15) ismounted inside a housing (13) is movable about a joint (14) on thehousing (13). 6: The rotor system as claimed in claim 5, wherein thecounter blade (15) is automatically pivotable during operation of therotor system. 7: The rotor system as claimed in claim 6, wherein thecounter blade (15) is arranged downstream of a rigid counter blade (12).8: The rotor system as claimed in claim 7, wherein a cutting gap betweenan effective diameter (d₁) of the tools (4.1) can be varied by thecounter blade (15). 9: The rotor system as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe tool carrier plates (8) accommodate tool carriers and/or tools (4.1,4.2). 10: The rotor system as claimed in at least one of claims 1, 2 and4, wherein a plurality of retaining plates (6) for accommodating toolcarriers (8) and/or tools (4.1, 4.2) are provided between a plurality ofindividual radially arranged segments (5) on the rotor. 11: The rotorsystem as claimed in claim 10, wherein a plurality of retaining plates(6) for releasably securing tool carriers (8) and/or tools (4.1, 4.2)are provided between individual segments (5). 12: The rotor system asclaimed in claim 11, wherein a plurality of segments (5) are arrangedradially at a distance apart about a center axis (M), and a plurality ofretaining plates (6) for accommodating tool carriers (8) and/or tools(4.1, 4.2) are provided at an axial distance apart between theindividual segments (5). 13: The rotor system as claimed in claim 12,wherein the tool carrier (8) and/or tool (9) are connected to the atleast one segment (5) and/or to the retaining plate (6) between thesegments (5). 14: The rotor system as claimed in claim 13, wherein theat least one tool carrier (8) and/or the at least one tool (9) are/isarranged on the rotor (1) on different effective diameters (d₁ and/ord₂). 15: The rotor system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tools (4.1and 4.2) are arranged in different effective planes (A and B) in theaxial direction of the rotor (1). 16: The rotor system as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the tools (4.1, 4.2) are arranged alternately indifferent effective planes (A and B) on the rotor (1) in the axialdirection. 17: The rotor system as claimed in claim 14, wherein thetools (4.1) are secured to the basic rotor (1) in a freely movable. 18:The rotor system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tools (4.1) areconnected to the basic rotor (1), by means of a chain (16). 19: Therotor system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tools (4.1) areassigned to the basic rotor (1) by at least one pivot point (17).